Author's Note: Zeroing in on the end of this particular arc, so strap in for a wild ride! Lots to come and lots to be introduced, so better have your lore-hats on.
Enjoy!
-Chapter 24: A Path So Virulent-
The news from the Temple of the Elements was grim. Raiden listened intently as Sub-Zero explained the outcome of the sudden surprise attack that had resulted in Scorpion being dragged back to the Netherrealm by Quan Chi's Shadow Sisters. "…We thought that they had come for the Icon of the Elements, to attempt again what Scorpion had failed to accomplish. Instead, they had come to punish his defection. Neither of us realized before it was too late. I could not stop them." Bi-Han said dourly.
"It is an unfortunate turn of events," Raiden agreed, "but I am confident you did everything in your power to prevent it." The cryomancer nodded. "Return to the others. We will need all of our strength to continue reclaiming the artifacts Shang Tsung seeks." Bi-Han offered a polite bow of reverence before departing Raiden's sanctum within Yang Fortress.
A heavy door clanged shut, a sonic reverberation carrying through the solid metal room as Raiden stood alone. Channeling his divine senses, the thunder god sought clarity in the tranquility of meditation. The chaos of reality gave way to enlightenment as his spirit intertwined with the rhythms of the cosmos. With the fate of the realm at stake, he needed guidance more than ever. The Elder Gods were proving to be of no use. The path forward could only come from within. Attunement with the realm, that is what was needed now.
He was unsure how much time had passed, how many hours he had spent meditating and seeking clarity for the battles to come, all Raiden knew was that his senses informed him of a change in his space before he heard another heavy door swing open. Footsteps echoed in the space, drawing closer to him. Raiden did not budge, his senses discerning the identity of the individual without looking at them.
She was dressed in white with yellow trim, her robes a fusion of a geisha's kimono and a ninja's gi. The brim of a large white kasa hat concealed her features. What was more prominent was a sheathed sword hanging by her side, just beside her golden bracelet-clad wrists. She strode up to Raiden and knelt before him. "You sent for me, Lord Raiden?"
"Ashrah," Raiden turned, studying the kanji symbols decorating her kasa hat, "as demon hunter of the White Lotus Society, your skills are required on a mission of great importance."
"I live to serve, Lord Raiden."
"Rise." Ashrah did so, tilting her head to reveal coal-black eyes and crimson striations marking her forehead, just beneath small nubs that used to be horns. "Shang Tsung conspires against the realm and he has garnered the aid of Quan Chi." The thunder god began, the mention of the warlock causing Ashrah to frown. "His demons threaten us as much as the agents of Outworld."
"I understand. My kris hungers for demon souls."
"With your skill to wield it, you will be a great aid to us as we rebuff their opposition. I want to abandon your mission of seeking them out and join us in Earthrealm's defence. You may find there are demonic enemies in abundance."
"As you wish, Lord Raiden. I am at the White Lotus Society's disposal." Ashrah promised.
Elsewhere…
Quan Chi stepped through a portal of his own conjuring into the laboratory of Shang Tsung. The sorcerer was preoccupied with an experiment of some sort, testing tissue and blood samples amid his tanks and tubes filled with klones. He set the chest containing the Deathstone next to the trapped Gem of Tetsurri and the Kafallah Amulet. "Your Deathstone."
"Ah, my sincere thanks, Quan Chi." Shang Tsung graciously replied with a grin. "Did the Earthrealmers pose any threat?"
"Not at all." The warlock replied. "Though their presence suggests Raiden is wise to your plot."
The sorcerer frowned. "Indeed. I encountered him directly in the realm of chaos."
"Scorpion has been returned to me. I will sear his soul a thousand times over for his treachery." Quan Chi promised. Shang Tsung nodded slowly.
"Yes, but the damage has already been done. Raiden knows the artifacts I require to ignore a Soul Harvester and his champions race me to collect them before I can." He said, trailing off as he stroked his goatee thoughtfully. Quan Chi crossed his arms.
"I have known you long enough to know that look in your eye." He mused, "What is to be done?"
"I require only two artifacts to complete the harvester and there is one decoy left to throw Raiden off the trail. The time has come for more decisive action."
"The Netherrealm stands ready to aid you."
"A two-pronged assault then. You yourself must claim the Eye of Chitian while you send your most devious and cunning forces to make Raiden think the Kitai Portal Stone is a more pressing objective. In the meanwhile, I will organize a distraction to keep him further occupied. I have contacts in the Earthrealm, agents willing to undermine the thunder god. I will claim the final true artifact; the Blood Crown of Octazumeh."
"You know where it is?" Quan Chi pried. Shang Tsung nodded.
"It is in Earthrealm. I have no doubt Raiden also knows of its location but that will be of little concern. For where the Blood Crown lies is where I will construct the Soul Harvester."
"Raiden will no doubt send his champions against all the artifacts." Quan Chi cautioned and Shang Tsung could not agree more. He had planned for this, thought things through. He was a charlatan of the highest order and knew just how to divert the attention of his adversary while performing a little misleading 'slight of hand' to achieve his true mission.
"We can only hope he still believes the Icon of the Elements to be one of my goals. That will divide his forces sufficiently." He said. An idea formed behind Quan Chi's black eyes and he smiled connivingly.
"Another attack, then. Perhaps orchestrated by the same Shadow Sisters I sent to capture Scorpion."
Shang Tsung offered a devious grin. "Yes. Most excellent, Quan Chi. That will suit our purposes just fine." He moved to the table where the chest sat and lifted the lid, marvelling at the polished black gemstone within. "We should act quickly before Raiden has a chance to move on another artifact."
Later…
The portal sprang open with a shock of arcane magick, bypassing the wards carved into the stone walls. Strutting through into the Temple of the Elements, three demoness soon stood within its halls once again. Kia, Jataaka, and Sareena all stood with weapons in hand… and they were not alone. Lumbering out behind them, a hunchbacked demon with three golden eyes, bluish skin, massive in build and height, brandished a sizeable club. "No gods…" He grumbled.
"Obviously not, Moloch. But they will come." Sareena said. "Sisters, find a way to circumvent the shielding around the Icon. At least… look like you are trying to." Kia and Jataaka moved to obey, steering clear of the immediate vicinity of the pedestal-seated artifact. They prodded the arcane shield with their blades, tensing as sparks flickered on contact.
"We can't just… take it?" Kia asked.
"Our Master says it is not important to his alliance with the Outworld sorcerer." Jataaka replied. "Besides, our mission is to make the gods of the realm only think we want this trinket."
"Then I hope they show up soon. This faux thievery is a waste of time." Kia complained.
Her desires would be met before long.
Fire, earth, wind, and water, manifested behind them. The raw elements forged into corporeal shapes; feet steadfast and firm, hands gripping weapons of war, eyes ablaze with divine fury. Kagutsuchi, Suijin, Dojin, and Fujin stood arrayed, forcing the demonic foursome to face them. Lastly did the thunder call and lightning flash. The chamber was lit by a thunderbolt and Raiden manifested before them. "You befoul these hallowed grounds, demons. Be gone!" The thunder god commanded, eyes like cold fire. Moloch wasted no time charging them, swinging his club with a mighty roar as Raiden phased through the arc of his assault, leaving him vulnerable. Suijin's polearm speared clean through one arm. Dojin's war club shattered one leg while Kagutsuchi's mace tore the other asunder. Fujin's sword pierced his chest. Lastly, Raiden's staff smashed into the top of his head, shattering his skull like a thunderclap.
The mighty demon crumpled into a heap as the gods moved effortlessly around him. "You will abandon this fool's errand your master has sent you on." Raiden ordered the Shadow Sisters. "His efforts have been repulsed before and they shall be again."
Sareena hissed, reverting to her demon form as she disappeared in a flash of hellfire and sparks. Kia and Jataaka disappeared with equal haste, and a portal reclaimed the body of Moloch. The gods stood at ease, unimpressed. "They flee without a fight." Kagutsuchi scoffed.
"They knew they could not match our united power." Dojin huffed.
"What is more worrying is their insistence." Raiden mused, his staff disappearing in a shower of sparks as he strode towards the Icon of the Elements. "This is the third intrusion by the Netherrealm into this Temple. They know the Icon is here and they refused to relinquish their attempts to acquire it."
"What can be done, brother?" Suijin inquired.
"Obviously the Icon is of great importance to Shang Tsung's plans. So long as we can deny him, we retain the advantage over him. Dojin, Kagutsuchi, remain here to guard the Icon, I will send two of my champions to join you. Suijin, renew your vigilant search for Outworld incursions. Fujin, you and I will return to Ying Fortress. There remain three artifacts unaccounted for and we must get to them before Shang Tsung does."
The gods went about their business, believing they were firm in their course… totally oblivious to the notion they were walking right into the ploy Shang Tsung and Quan Chi had set for them.
Raiden teleported onto solid ground with Fujin by his side, their arrival drawing a crowd of their gathered champions. "What news, Lord Raiden? What captured your attention?" Liu Kang inquired.
"Demons of the Netherrealm attempted to steal the Icon of the Elements again. We can only assume it is vital to Shang Tsung's plans to explain their persistence." The thunder god answered.
"We deny them at every turn, then," Magnus mused, crossing his arms, "the gods yet favour us."
"Even still, Magnus Shadrix, we must maintain our vigilance. The Netherrealm could attempt another theft at any moment." Raiden replied. His gaze shifted back to the entire assembly. "Liu Kang. Kung Lao. You will travel to the Temple of the Elements and reinforce Lord Dojin and Lord Kagutsuchi. The rest of you will remain to aid with the search." The monks departed and Raiden channeled his magicks to form electrical images before the assembled kombatants. "There remains three artifacts to collect: the Eye of Chitian, the Kitai Portal Stone, and the Blood Crown of Octazumeh. We must act quickly to prevent Shang Tsung from acquiring them. Even with a handful of ancient arcane artifacts his power can be hightened to deadly proportions."
"The Kitai Portal Stone is here in Earthrealm, secure on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. As is the Blood Crown of Octazumeh, in the southern part of the world called Mexico." Fujin noted. "But the Eye of Chitian is in Outworld, hidden in the tomb of Asizi the First."
"Great. Another trip through another hostile desert." Kenshi griped.
"Maybe you'll get lucky and there'll only be hot gypsy babes instead of bloodthirsty warriors." Johnny proffered.
"That'll be the day." Kenshi scoffed.
"You will remain here, Kenshi Takahashi." Raiden informed him. "As well as Kai and Art Lean. I wish for you all to train and sharpen your knowledge. With a battle against Outworld evident and nearly upon us, I wish for you all to be at your best. Sub-Zero will remain to oversee the effort." The cryomancer nodded in affirmation.
Sonya stepped up, having returned from her own investigation. "You said that blood crown was down in Mexico somewhere?" Raiden nodded.
"Indeed."
The blonde smirked. "What a coincidence. My new friends in the OIA turned up a rash of Black Dragon activity down in that area, seems like they're working with local drug cartels as part of their criminal empire scheme."
"Given their alliance to Outworld and Shao Kahn, this does not appear to be coincidental." Fujin mused.
"And angle worth investigating." Raiden concurred. "Sonya Blade, take Jackson Briggs and Johnny Cage to investigate Mexico, see if there is any correlation between the Black Dragon's movements and the location of the blood crown. Do what you must to retrieve it." Sonya wrinkled her nose.
"Cage? Why the hell would I take him with me?"
"Because, contrary to your beliefs, you will need him." Raiden said sagely, as if knowing but refusing to reveal a truth known only to himself.
Sonya groaned in frustration. "Fine. Whatever. Just so long as he follows Op protocol… if he doesn't I'm portalling his ass back here, and it will be black and blue." Johnny and Jax strode up beside her, the former putting out as much suaveness as he could muster.
"Relax, warrior princess. I know a thing or two about military stuff when I was filming Lone Soldier. I won an Oscar for that." Sonya rolled her eyes.
"I hate this arrangement already."
Jax rolled his shoulders. "As much as I'm looking forward to Mexico, any idea where exactly this blood crown is? Or what the hell it can do?"
"The crown is stated to be concealed within the Mayan pyramid called 'the Temple of Buluc'." Fujin described. Raiden promptly took over.
"Centuries ago, a member of the Osh-Tekk species crossed over into Earthrealm. His power and unique gifts astonished the local Mayan populace who believed him to be a god. They took after his ways and consecrated him in their pantheons, the name Buluc enduring ever since."
"What kinda 'ways' are we talking here? This Buluc a party animal? Some kinda warmonger?" Johnny asked.
"The Osh-Tekk draw strength from consuming blood, part of their mastery over the blood magicks of Ikoris. Buluc taught the Mayans about human sacrifice with little regard for how blood consumption would effect an Earthrealmer. The months and even years of this ritual practiced that followed resulted in many plagues and diseases which wiped out the population." Johnny grimaced. Jax and Sonya were completely stoic. Raiden summoned his powers to conjure an electric construct of the crown between his hands. "The blood crown was worn by the last leader of the region; Emperor Octazumeh. Supposedly, it was forged by Buluc himself and contains crystalized blood through which blood magicks can be controlled. Though there has never been an Earthrealmer capable of manipulating blood magick in history." The constructed faded and Sonya assessed the information for herself.
"Find the temple, get the crown, odds are the Black Dragon want it, too."
"We'll just follow the rat to his den." Jax said, rubbing his hands together. "Can't wait to beat Kano with these bad boys."
"Get in line, Major. His ass is mine." Sonya growled, thumping her fist into her palm.
Raiden reached for his belt and withdrew a golden amulet marked with the Chinese five-fold path. "Make haste to Mexico, you may use this to reach us if you require assistance." He stated, turning the amulet over to Sonya. "May the Elder Gods protect you."
The trio departed and Raiden surveyed the remaining champions. "Syzoth. You will accompany Ashrah and Lord Fujin to recover the Kitai Portal Stone. Magnus Shadrix. Mileena, you will join me in Outworld to find the Eye of Chitian." The champions divided up. Syzoth approached the wind god.
"Who is Ashrah, Lord Fujin?" He inquired.
"Ashrah is the demon hunter of the White Lotus Society. A perfect ally against the forces of the Netherrealm." As he finished, the woman in question stepped out of Ying Fortress, her white-gold robes catching the light and Syzoth's attention. His green eyes widened slightly as he gazed upon her black ones.
"Oh." Was all he managed to say.
The Black Dragon fight club was not in service for the time being, its space converted into a holding pen for numerous kidnapping victims held by Kano and his ilk. At a distance, Shang Tsung observed the frightened humans corralled by Tarkatans. "This is not nearly as many as I had hoped." The sorcerer mused, a flicker of disappointment behind his dark eyes.
"With all ya'd hyped up that fuckin' arcana or whatevah tha hell ya called it, ya'd think every Tom, Dick, 'n Harry'd have it. Guess what? Ain't that case." Kano responded, arms crossed over his burly hair-lined chest. "We scrounged up whatevah poor bastahds we could find befor' ya showed up. We'll keep huntin', tho, I got eyes all ovah tha place lookin' for more a' these arcana-havin' bastahds."
"I suppose something is better than nothing." Shang mused with a hum. He snapped his fingers, conjuring a portal of swirling orange energy. The Tarkatans immediately began picking up and shoving humans through, ignoring their wails of protest. "I have another task in mind for you," Shang continued, facing the mercenary, "for which you will also be paid. I trust a man of your nature has acquaintances across the planet?"
"Ya might say that." Kano said smugly.
"Then I need for you to engage in some… distribution elsewhere in the realm." Shang stated. Kano jerked his head and the sorcerer followed him into the private office away from the fight club wing of the base. Kano opened up a drawer on a ruddy old desk and whipped out a crumpled up map of the globe. Shang looked it over as Kano smoothed it out over the desk. "There." He said, pointing to the lower portion of Mexico.
"Helluva place." Kano grunted. He stepped over to a bulletin board that appeared to be chewed along its sides. He flipped it over, revealing a large map of the exact region Shang had pointed out. It contained tacked-on images of various surly-looking individuals. "I know jus' 'bout every rat-faced sonnuva bitch around."
"I'm not surprised." Shang drolly murmured. He looked over the new map. "The town… closest to the Temple of Buluc."
"Ah, San Simon. El Balde's territory." Kano noted. Shang reached into his silk robes and produced a long vial corked at the top which contained a golden liquid.
"I need you to distribute this throughout the town. Claim it is some sort of new… intoxicant or recreational substance."
Kano arched a brow. "What for?"
Shang frowned. "That is for me to know and you to wonder about. Or are you not interested in more gold from the Emperor's treasury?"
"Yeah yeah, whatevah. Give." Kano swiped it. The sorcerer allowed him. He looked it over. "Distribute, huh. Ain't a helluva lot in 'ere."
"That's the point. Only a drop will do." Shang explained. Kano grinned, his cybernetic eye flashing.
"Ahhh, get 'em hook, line, an' sinkah. Now we're talkin'. That's a good sellin' point."
"Indeed." Shang concurred with a malicious grin. "See to it your contacts in the region distribute the substance throughout the town, as they normally would. They themselves are allowed to enjoy a sampling, if they should be so bold. But it has got to be done immediately. The sooner you do, the sooner you will be paid."
"Ain't no strangah ta rush-jobs, Shangy-wangy. I'll get it ta El Balde within a day." Kano promised.
Shang nodded, his expression knitting into a stony look of pure intensity. "Good. This is all you have. It must survive to be distributed. Do not let it be destroyed. Do not let it leave your sight. If you fail me," he flicked his wrist, Tekko-Kagi claws springing over his fist, "you're going to need a seeing-eye dog."
The mercenary said nothing, merely arching the brow over his good eye before he studied the golden sample again. "Tha' hell ya call this shit anyway?" At that, Shang Tsung grinned.
"Tarkat."
Some time later…
San Simon. A small town in the south of Mexico generally unassuming and unimportant in appearance. Full of Hacienda-style houses and buildings, built around a central church and an open street market, it provided a quaint atmosphere of homeliness that the handful of residents savoured in their everyday lives. It lay flat on a plateau of sand and rock, adjacent to a forested area where many fruit trees grew.
The road into town was long and hilly, allowing one to see San Simon from the apex of the road. In stark contrast to the dusty sand and brown rocks, a shiny black Cadillac car rolled to a stop on said hill next to a local police car marked 'Federale'. The Latina within climbed out, stretching as her tightly-fitted ironed dark blue dress clothes began to absorb the everpresent heat. She strode around the Cadillac as the man within stepped out. He was clean shaven, his short brown hair almost military style above sunglasses-covered eyes. He was dressed in a dark sports coat over a button-up black shirt. "Damn, the heat."
"You get used to it, hombre." The Latina remarked. "I'm Officer Garcia."
"Right. The attaché I got mentioned you." The man said, stepping around his car. A shiny golden badge on his belt read DEA.
"Mine mentioned you, too. Although… I thought you'd be wearing something else." Garcia mused.
"My work clothes are in the back. Emphasis on 'work'." The man replied, tugging off his sunglasses to reveal dark brown eyes, almost the same color as Garcia's. His expression was firm, a real strictly-business look about him. "So… you and me. Some sort of bi-national taskforce, huh?"
"Yep. The cartels around here are getting out of hand. Whic is why they sent you… their 'super-cop'." Garcia mused.
"I just wished the taskforce was bigger." He stroked his chin, sizing up the shimmering distant town and wondered how much of it was real and how much was a mirage. "Whatever. Lead on, Officer Garcia. Show me where I can stow my kit." Garcia climbed back into her squad car as the man clambered back into his air-conditioned Cadillac. He reached for the glove compartment and retrieved his wallet, fishing out his ID which he had no doubt the local police would want to see. Garcia was incredibly trusting, something he made note of. His entire life he'd known people who trusted him with their safety, their freedom… his superiors said justice flowed through his veins. Maybe they were right. "Starting to miss the desk job already." He muttered to himself as he affixed his government-issue ID to the car's sun visor. The blocky letters pronounced his identity loud and proud…
Agent Kurtis Stryker.
Long before Outworld had a Kahn, when the realm was little more than a loose alliance of provinces exchanging good will back and forth, there existed the monarch of Bolgun Province: Asizi the First. Her title came from her sex, the first woman ruler of the province… and would prove to be the last. She ruled firmly but fairly, an arcana flowing within her soul that granted her the gift of telekinesis. Her reign was long until it was cut short by the machinations of burgeoning emperor Draxxin the Soulsnatcher. Her death marked the beginning of his rise to power in Outworld.
Her tomb was a labor of love by the people of Bolgun, containing the greatest treasures of the province as a testament to her lasting impact. Her tomb resembled those of Earth's pharaohs, glittering from floor to ceiling with gold and other priceless-jewel-laden artifacts. The greatest of these being the glowing red gemstone seated in a special cutout in the stone wall over her coffin.
The crystalized eye of the great provincial mage, who was a close friend of Asizi, the Eye of Chitian contained the eponymous mage's power to move between the realms. It was symbolic of the death of her fostering relations with the other provinces and even other realms, for Chitian refused to support Draxxin and let this power be used for any form of malevolence.
Now Chitian was long-gone… and a new malevolence sought his power.
The green portal flashed open as Quan Chi strode boldly into the tomb. He smiled. No arcane wards, no traps, nothing to waylay him this time around. He stretched out his hand and recited a spell that plucked the Eye of Chitian from its space on the wall. It flew into his outstretched hand and Quan Chi immediately sensed the great power within. He was partly tempted to take it for himself, but Shang Tsung was a close ally, one not worth double-crossing… especially not now.
Lifting the gemstone to the light, he studied its crimson allure closely. It spoke of power, radiated promise, symbolized dread. "The end of Earthrealm… is coming fast."